Nursing Tuesday: Washable Nursing Pads

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I nursed (and pumped for) both my kids and found nursing pads indispensable.

I usually used reusable ones like these from nursing favorite Lansinoh. These washable nursing pads are super soft, absorbent (there’s a waterproof layer and a core made from natural plant fibers), and fit comfortably in your nursing bra. The set even comes with a mesh bag for machine washing. That said, get a couple sets so you’re not constantly laundering them.

A pack of four is $11.99 at Target.

Sales of note for 9.10.24

(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)

Kid/Family Sales

  • Carter’s – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
  • Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
  • J.Crew Crewcuts Extra 30% off sale styles
  • Old Navy – 40% off everything
  • Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs
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Anyone want to share about siblings who are close with 2-3+ years between them?

TTC #2 is taking longer than anticipated and we’re headed down the fertility treatment road. We’ve always dreamed of 2 under 2 (everyone in our life has kids cloooose together) and that’s no longer possible. Logic me knows that siblings can be close at any spacing and there is no perfect timing etc etc. Emotion me is just really sad today.

My 21-month-old (doesn’t feel “almost 2” quite yet!) definitely has words and a few phrases – still very toddler talk-y, but it’s there. However, he and a few others in his class at preschool aren’t talking in school. He’s been in this school/class for ~1 month so it is on the newer side. He’s also the youngest – his class has a lot of 2.5+ kids.

I’m more curious than concerned – does anyone have any experience with this?

Can we talk fall/winter shoes for kids? I’m a transplant to the DC area, and we’ve never had to deal with cooler temperatures with kids. My kids are 5 and 2. My kids are picky about shoes, so whatever I buy needs to be comfortable.

Suggestions?

i realize this has been discussed many many times, and i tried to search and got a post from 2017, which honestly was fun to read and see some people who are still commenting, and someone was very excited about being able to wfh two days a week. anyway – backpacks and sizes – LLBean vs. Pottery Barn Kids vs. Lands End. Quality? what size do you need for kindergarten? I figure now that we are a bit into the school year people might have more info to share (i’m thinking ahead to next year already when my twins start K)

I need to process this somewhere, and I don’t know if I’m looking for advice or commiseration.

DH and I have made a concerted effort to not over-program our kids. They take lessons and have been on sports teams, but we’ve never taken it to the next level, nor have our kids expressed any interest in being on select teams or super-intense activities. Even so, we feel plenty busy with the minimal activities the kids are in. So, yay us, we’ve done what’s best for our family.

Well, there is a side effect to being chill about kids’ activities. I envy how these super-sporty families have a built-in social network that we completely lack. I guess that’s bound to happen when kids have multiple practices per week, tournaments on the weekend, etc. Despite having older kids, I feel so disconnected from other parents. I know a handful of their friends’ parents, of course, but our lives don’t meaningfully overlap in any way.

Most of our close friends have gone the intense activity route with their kids, so we don’t even see them anymore! They don’t have time and are never around. So much for giving our family time and space to enjoy family and friends. I guess I can’t help feeling disappointed that this is how things have turned out. I feel like we’re lacking community in many ways, even though our kids have been at the same schools forever, we go to church, and we at least TRY to have our kids do things. Older kid is much more involved in music than sports, which is awesome. But I don’t know the other parents at all; we only see each other at end-of-the-semester performances.

It probably doesn’t help that our kids do before/after school programs because we work, so it’s not like we get that camaraderie from standing in the pickup line or whatever.

IDK. I have become lonely and isolated. I work, and I raise kids. I honestly had better relationships with my friends during Covid because the activities just came to a halt, and everyone had more time, whether it was for a Zoom call or hanging out in the driveway.

Am I idealizing what other parents have? Or have we screwed ourselves over by not following the crowd?

I was going through some old comment threads about Disney and saw you had a planning spreadsheet you were willing to share? If it’s still relevant in a post-covid world, I’d love a copy! hsalrette@ the google.

Bday presents for a 9 year old girl? $25-$50 range.

And/or what was your same-age daughter’s fave present?

I’m 36 weeks pregnant with my 3rd and for some reason, I’m getting very anxious about a late term still birth. No clue why, this pregnancy has been very uneventful and I’ve been keeping up on my kick count. There has never been a concern from that perspective. Any tips for directing my focus elsewhere? Should I ask doctor for an extra ultrasound to look at baby? I’m not sure why or where this is coming from and I’m not usually an anxious person…

Has anyone here negotiated for a longer maternity leave? I’m still in the first tri but already dreading a short 12 weeks with babe. I work for an FMLA eligible employer that provides 6 weeks paid. I would really like to take 24 weeks, even if the additional 12 weeks were unpaid. What REALLY chafes is that I work remotely from a state that provides up to 20 paid weeks and I think 24 job protected weeks (NJ), but my employer is in a state that doesn’t. Unfortunately I work in higher ed where flexibility is not common. (Though, if you’ve been in higher ed, you know it’d take well over 3 months to refill my position…)

I would love insights and experiences from you all. I know my rep would take a hit and my job wouldn’t be legally protected, but I am a longtime employee with a generally great boss & grandboss who’ve gone to bat for me before. Is this even worthwhile raising the issue or are the downsides too great? Trying to get my thoughts in order well before I have to decide.

We are now in elementary school and have classmate birthday parties for 6 year olds. Went to one this past weekend and I couldn’t believe how little parents interacted with each other. I’m hoping to be friendly with the other parents – any suggestions? Also what is the typical price people usually spend on a gift for the classmate I was trying to stick with around $25 but wanted to gauge what others experience has been like. These are the first parties b/c of Covid so it’s exciting!

Paging lawyer moms who work for universities! I am looking into switching from real estate contract work to working for a university in a non-academia capacity. I just saw a posting for a Contracts & Negotiations Manager which requires a JD. While I do not have direct experience, I think I would enjoy and thrive in this line of work. The question is, how do I make myself marketable for these types of positions if I have worked only in law firms so far? Any tips about resume and cover letter drafting? Thanks!

TW infertility.

Me, again. I’m the poster who recently took a Big Job and and opted out of pursuing more fertility treatments for #2 after ~3 years and handful of MCs + an ectopic last year.

So far, I can say definitively that all the moves I’ve made were the right ones – taking the Big Job, pausing fertility treatments, taking vacations, enjoying DD as an only, doing work travel/conferences, just living. I’ve lost nearly 30 lbs with more to go… it’s actually been amazing. DH says he’s getting the old me back after 3 years since we started fertility treatments for #2, and I see that, too. DD’s behavior is vastly improved and I’m sure it’s because I’ve been happier, more patient and all-around more present.

Just very recently, however, I have been thinking about trying again. Actually, that’s not even accurate. I find myself dreaming of what my family would be like with another. Envisioning my 4 year old holding a baby. It seems to be all emotion driven. Logical me knows that I haven’t been this happy in nearly four years. And a lot of what’s been bringing me joy as of late would go away if I was pregnant and in the throes of parenthood with an infant again. The devil on my shoulder says that I’m only day dreaming of this because I have this clarity/happiness for the first time in a long time and I shouldn’t take the bait.

Part of the issue/calculus is that I have 6 genetically normal embryos on ice. We are so lucky for that. MY doctor also thinks we have the right medication cocktail down to make it work (though don’t we always?), and transfers aren’t all that taxing physically, so why not just pop one in and see what happens? Kidding, but not. On the one hand, how would I ever get through a fifth miscarriage? On the other, I’ve done it four times so what’s one more?

I turn 38 next month. It’s not a milestone, but birthdays always seem to bring about some level of reflection. I’m not sure what my actual question is other than how do I process these feelings? Has anyone had to consider something similar before? And, before you say therapy, I’ve got that covered, but it doesn’t seem to be bringing clarity to this particular question. You’ve not steered me in a bad direction so far, wise hive, so let me hear your best wisdom!

Another kid bday party question.. parties are not drop-off unless specified, right? My kid is 4.5, but the birthday kid is turning 6 (former preschool classmate now in K). We do mostly drop off play dates (I tell parents they can drop off or stay, whichever they prefer, and most leave).

Ugh we are in the throes of HFM with my almost 4 year old (her younger sister got it but had only mild symptoms). We are on day 3 of severe mouth/tongue pain. She wakes up crying at night from the pain. We are keeping her fed and hydrated (thanks mac n cheese, milk and ice cream…ugh) but it’s a struggle every meal. Advil/tylenol doesn’t seem to help much but we’re giving it around the clock on schedule. How long will this last? Seeing her in so much pain is excruciating for us, not to mention how it must feel to her. She is very picky so not many options for food, and she won’t let us apply anything topical like mylanta to her tongue. This is the worst week of parenting I’ve ever had.